[AlanG]

Unfortunately a million dollars isn't what it used to be.

B&H has the 70-180 2.8 at $7200. (Manual focus lens) This is a pretty commonly used range for a lot of shooters to the point that it is almost a requirement. In the Canon system this will buy a 70-200 2.8 IS, plus 4 or 5 of their top zoom, TSE, or best high speed prime lenses. (Not counting long teles.) All AF lenses. I guess Nikon lenses are about the same.

I think this pretty much tells the story regardless of what the R10 comes in at.

Many Canon and Nikon shooters reprogram their focus buttons so that they use AF much as one would use a manual focus lens - only it's quicker and more accurate in my experience. (Maybe others are just more skilled at manual focusing than I am. But I think the market has spoken on the subject.) Many also feel that IS (or VR) is extremely useful on the 70-200 and longer lenses.

So other than current users (with lenses) and the very well heeled, I'm not sure who else could comprise the target market for the R10. But maybe that will be enough for Leica and they'll just be providing new tools mostly to keep old customers happy. And if the R10accepts current lenses but supports new AF lenses that will add perhaps $3000-$7000 a pop if you want AF on a lens or two.

At those prices, I think the R-10 would have to be pretty incredible with a deep system to attract typical pros to move from Nikon and Canon.